This became very quickly a new favorite book. There were many points at which I re-read paragraphs or pages multiple times. Beautiful. Wonderful. FullThis became very quickly a new favorite book. There were many points at which I re-read paragraphs or pages multiple times. Beautiful. Wonderful. Full of wisdom and valuable insight. Will be passing it along to at least a couple other women with whom I know it will resonate as it did with me....more
A book every Christian should read with an open heart and mind. I read it in less than 12 hours, but I'll most definitely be returning back to it agaiA book every Christian should read with an open heart and mind. I read it in less than 12 hours, but I'll most definitely be returning back to it again and again. It's especially pertinent now, in pandemic times with forced shifts. Could not be more relevant. Francis doesn't disappoint, and his life backs up his message....more
Necessary and excellent. This was my 2nd "round" of this book, though the 1st was just going through the workbook years ago.Necessary and excellent. This was my 2nd "round" of this book, though the 1st was just going through the workbook years ago....more
I picked up Keller's shepherd books because I am doing a shepherd theme for VBS this year and wanted more insight, and I am so glad I did! Despite my I picked up Keller's shepherd books because I am doing a shepherd theme for VBS this year and wanted more insight, and I am so glad I did! Despite my familiarity with some of the specific shepherd applications in Scripture, I was blown away by the insight Keller shares from an actual shepherd's standpoint. The applications are astounding; it has changed my perspective and approach to everyday life with my Shepherd. This also has great leadership applications as well since leaders "shepherd" others. Excellent and invaluable material. This is a must read, and I can't wait to read his other shepherd books....more
The fact that this book was available for free just as I was finishing up the first section of Genesis was all the more reason to read it! I was familThe fact that this book was available for free just as I was finishing up the first section of Genesis was all the more reason to read it! I was familiar with the movie version but [somehow] haven't actually seen it yet. This book was not only a great fit as far as timing/content complement but was was just a great read/look overall. I like that the book is a balance of high-quality images from throughout the universe, astronomy facts, and spiritual implications. It wasn't too heavy in any content type but rather a well-blended exploration of the significance of our insignificance :)...more
Up until a little while ago, I was not familiar with Johnny Cash or his life at all really. Only the name. Several years ago I watched the movie Walk Up until a little while ago, I was not familiar with Johnny Cash or his life at all really. Only the name. Several years ago I watched the movie Walk the Line, but it was quickly forgotten. Recently I ran across the movie in a bargain bin, and I just had this feeling that I should watch it again, that it would be a much different experience than the prior. I was absolutely right. I was moved, intrigued, almost desperate to find out more about this fascinating man and his life (and I started listening to some of his music as well, of course). I chose this particular biography based on published date and reviews. Since it was a Kindle version, I had little idea what it would really be like. Namely, really long and very, very thorough and detailed. This didn't really bother me; I just wasn't expecting it, and I wasn't necessarily looking for as much of the technical, music industry detail as it provided. However, it was interesting and informative. More importantly, however, the subject alone was enough to keep me reading. I was right yet again that I would be moved by the account of this remarkable man's life. Still, I was not prepared for the extent to which this was so. I honestly don't think I have ever cried so much through a book, let alone a biography! There was and still is much personal reflection over this legend's life. He was truly one of a kind. ...more
This book is so important. Its message is important but actually not common in its entirety.
This book surprised me, in a good way. It is written by WThis book is so important. Its message is important but actually not common in its entirety.
This book surprised me, in a good way. It is written by Wess Stafford, of Compassion International. I have sponsored children through this organization for years and even once heard Wess speak at a conference, so I was fairly familiar with the background of the book and its general direction and ideas.
However, it was much more than I expected; there was a lot I didn't know about his background, his work with and heart for children. Furthermore, He goes beyond the general idea that "helping children is a good thing"... he is specific, articulate, and thorough in his exploration of this crucial topic. I smiled, laughed, nodded, and cried through this book.
Everyone, Christian or not, should read this book. Its message applies to all adults, especially those in this country.
It is one of those that has challenged me to the point beyond "well, this sounds nice" to actual change in perspective and action. I don't know that anyone could be the same after reading it--and for the better!
I heard about TWLOHA several years ago and started supporting and promoting the organization and their message a bit over the past year. I was excitedI heard about TWLOHA several years ago and started supporting and promoting the organization and their message a bit over the past year. I was excited for this book and was still blown away. It is difficult to find adequate words for this one. It is beautiful, wonderful, and resonated deeply with me. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. ...more
Other than the Chapter 3 author insertion (which I just found bizarre and did not care for at all) and a couple parts that just didn't interest me mucOther than the Chapter 3 author insertion (which I just found bizarre and did not care for at all) and a couple parts that just didn't interest me much, this was a phenomenal read. Intriguing and unique in dealing with some significant yet often-unexplored themes, this book made me question and ponder much... in fact, I am still questioning and pondering these things. Really, really appreciate this book and its timeliness (interesting that I read it right after Neverwhere, which had one major similar theme, though the connection in reading order was totally unintentional)....more
This book had a more positively profound influence on me than a book has in a long time. It is excellent. It is worth reading and re-reading. It is noThis book had a more positively profound influence on me than a book has in a long time. It is excellent. It is worth reading and re-reading. It is not your stereotypical "Contemporary Christian self-help" type of book. It is so much more (and yet so much simpler as well).
I consider myself to be more "grace-conscious" than the average churchgoer, but this put meat on the bones of even my perception of grace. To me, grace is the key theme of Smith's message--in fact, he says as much himself--so I guess that is how I would fill in the blank!
So much confirmation as well, personally speaking to some exact aspects of my life in a perfectly-timed manner. Fabulous. Wonderful. So thankful for the challenge and encouragement in these pages....more
Wes gave me this book at some point while I had the privilege of serving alongside him on a jail ministry team several years ago. This also included sWes gave me this book at some point while I had the privilege of serving alongside him on a jail ministry team several years ago. This also included sitting under his teaching every Monday night for a while, which was awesome. If there is one authentic Christian man whom I've known to truly live [radically] like Jesus lived, walking the talk (and he has plenty of talk fodder), it is him. I did and do not necessarily agree with everything he has said or done, but I do believe his heart is more in tune with God's than those of many. He is over 70 years old and is a living testimony to what God can and will do through real faith in the very real God.
Having said that, I of course regard this book pretty highly. As is stated in the book itself, it is not for everyone, as in the average/"comfortable" and more legalistic Christian. But for the authentic Christ-follower who desires to be a warrior for God; it is wonderful, refreshing, encouraging, and challenging.
Furthermore, the timing for this was truly a God-send. I had just gotten it back from a friend (after having read it the first time years ago when it was given) when we started going through First Samuel on Sunday mornings at church. The book is based on First Samuel, so I decided to read through it again. In so many ways that I won't go into here, studying First Samuel and reading through this book again has been so much more pertinent to where I'm at than the first time I read it. So thankful to have picked it up again....more
I read and really enjoyed Glaze's first two books. As I skimmed this one, I was uncertain. It just didn't seem to be one I'd like as much as the otherI read and really enjoyed Glaze's first two books. As I skimmed this one, I was uncertain. It just didn't seem to be one I'd like as much as the others. So I gave it some time and eventually decided to approach this one differently.
There is something about some of his poetry, the way he writes certain pieces, that sometimes makes me want to diagram/draw/analyze it. So I figured I would take a journaling/analytical/diagram/note-taking approach to this book. It definitely helped me get a lot more out of it than I think I would have otherwise (and, of course, now I want to go back and do the same with the previous two, also).
When I first asked him about this book, he said that he liked it better than the others; he thought if flowed better. I definitely agree. There is a remarkable flowing weave to this one, and that was interesting to experience.
My only [slight] specific disappointment was when I read the ending of "quiet" and immediately knew it was not the original ending, which I remembered from it being posted on this site (and I remember really liking the ending). I don't think the different ending is bad; I just liked the other one better.
My favorites from this collection are "nights," "prescience," being," "Tree of Life," "auto zen," and "poem." "Prescience" and "being" are definitely in my top 5 all-time favorites.
Overall, I'm glad I gave this one a chance because even though it's a bit different, it's plenty worthy to share the "favorite" shelf with the previous two! ...more
Oh, Thoreau… always a joy to walk in his words. Even though a lot of the main concepts are familiar from having read Walden, it was no less a pleasureOh, Thoreau… always a joy to walk in his words. Even though a lot of the main concepts are familiar from having read Walden, it was no less a pleasure to read this piece. I have never had such a desire to meet someone from the past. I love everything he writes and always desire to read more. ...more
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